Folding machine



Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,450

w. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1924 'r Sheets-Sheet 1 I-nvenTor Walker Dixon by W- M ATTYS.

I Nov. 8, 1927.

1,648,450 W. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 ln v'e hTor.

Walfer Dixon MW'KWWM An;

Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,450 w. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 15 a Fig.5.

lnvenf'on Ndv. 8, 1927. 1,648,450

w. L. DIXON FOLDING momma Filed Nbv. 20, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5.

lnvenTor.

Y WalTef L. Dixon b 47PUW.RW1

Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,450

W. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvqnfur.

Walker L; D ixo n YRo-W, kow d Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,450 w. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 lnvenTor.

NUV. 8, W. L. DIXON FOLDING MACHINE 7 Filed Nov. 20, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 v lnvenTor. 8- Woher L Dix yR KM Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,64&,45 PATENT GFFHQE- WALTER L. DIXON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T REEOE FOLDING- MA- CHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 20, 1924. Serial No. '751,152.

This invention involves a novel folding machine, that is, an apparatus for infolding the edges of cloth or other blanks, for example the cloth blanks used in the manufacture of collars and cuffs, and involves also a novel method of folding such blanks, more especially blanks of certain specific shapes, and involves also a novel product, that is to say a folded blank or a completed in collar or other article embodying the particular novel form of fold of this invention.

The general object of the invention is to afford an improved folding machine, method and product, of general and spel5 cific utility in the arts. A special object is to improve the art of folding cloth blanks for collars, cuffs and other articles'of clothing, etc. A particular objectis to enable the efficient and satisfactory manufacture of collars or analogous articles wherein one or more of the corners to be folded is a fairly sharp angle, or an acute angle, substantially less than 90. With the shapes having such a corner or corners there has been a problem in producing a satisfactory fold on account of the difficulty in accommodating the excess of marginal material within the small compass of the acute angle.

With previous attempts these corners have 2:0 been folded in a way to produce excessive thickness or even bunching of material, resulting in an unsightly and uncommercial product, and sometimes even requiring trimming off the excess material, necessarily a separate and manual operation, adding materially to the cost of manufacture. Other and further objects of the present invention will be explained in the hereinafter description of an embodiment thereof, or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

To the attainment of the objects and advantages referred to the present invention consists in the novel machine or apparatus, and the novel method of operation or manufacture, and the novel infold or product, as well as the novel features of combination, arrangement, construction, mode of action and detail, herein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a left end elevation of a folding machine embodying the present invention, with the blank defining die or t-emplet shown in elevated position, the machine being of the general type illustrated by the patents of Dixon 9. .9 0 an Ree e 972, although Cir the noyel features could be embodied in very different types.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the left end of the machine with the die or tcmplet omitted and the parts in readiness to receivea blank to be folded.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the templet and 1ts mountings and operating connections.

Fig. trated Fig. plet.

Fig. 6. on a larger scale, is a part plan vlew differing from Fig. 2 in that the templet is shown as having descended upon the blank, the sharp blank corner having thereby been turned upward. Fig. 7 is a similar view showing a succeedin g r'tage. in which the blank corner has been folded in and down over the corner of the templet.

Fig. 8 is a similar View showing the next stage, in which the templet has retracted out of the corner fold. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing a succeedmg position in which the templet has been again positioned upon the blank, on top of the folded corner thereof.

4 is a front elevation of the illustcmplet. 5 1s a bottom plan view of the tem- Fig. 10 is a similar view showing a suc-.

ceeding position in which the long side or rear folder has moved forwardly to infold the blank margin over the templet.

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the blank end margin having been infolded, thus completing the infolding operations.

Fig. 12 shows a portion of a blank including a sharp angled corner at the left end, and with the eventual fold line indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 13 shows the condition of the blank after the first infolding step, corresponding with Fig. 7.

Fig. 14 shows the same blank after the next infolding step, corresponding with Fig. 10.

Fig. 15 shows the same blank with the infolding completed, corresponding with Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 indicates the corresponding corner of the blank at the opposite end, showing how the folds may be reversed-in order that two blanks may be interlocked when placed face to face.

For convenience the description may be the present invention may be employed for the production of each infolded blank presenting a sharp angled corner. Each blank may consist of either one or more plies of cotton, linen, or other fabric or sheet material. It will be understood that the folds may be oppositely formed at the two ends of the artlcle so that in assembling two blanks the folds may be tucked in under each other, forming what is known as a lock corner.

The method of the present invention may be described as infolding a blank having a sharp corner by first defining the blank at the corner and preliminarily folding in the corner margin diagonally, then extracting the defining means from the preliminary fold while holding the fold in place, then defining the eventual lines of fold on top of the corner fold already formed and folding in the two blank margins contiguous thereto. The corner material is first folded inwardly along a line diagonal to both of the meeting edges, and on top of this corner fold the two edges are defined and then the margins folded in. The product is charac terized in having the infolded corner margin beneath the infolded margins of the two meeting edges.

The blank is indicated in its original condition in Fig. 12, such blank being in readiness to insert in proper position in the machine as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be understood that the other end of the blank may be substantially symmetrical with theend illustrated, for example as shown by the bottom view of the templet in Fig. 5. This shows a so-called collar top, but the invention may be used in various other forms having sharp corners to be infolded. As indicated in Fig. 12 the blank is to be infolded eventually along the side fold line 21 and the end fold line 22, the intersection of these constituting the sharp or acute corner mentioned. Outside the fold line 21 is the fabric side margin 23 and outside of the end fold line 22 is the margin 24. Beyond the corner or apex is the corner marginal material 25, which is required to be properlyhandled to produce a satisfactory final result.

Fig. 12 also indicates a preliminary fold line 26, this being a straight line crossing both margins 23 and 24 and divi g ff the corner margin 25., The plan of the invention is to define the temporary line 26 and turn in the corner material along this line,

with the result as indicated in Fig. 13, followed by the extraction of the defining means and the redefining of the eventual fold lines 21 and 22 by a templet placed on top of the blank and above the infolded corner 25, and thereupon infolding the two adjacent margins, for example, first the side margin 23, as indicated in Fig. 14, and finally the end margin 24 giving the final product as shown in Fig. 15. Preferably the opposite end of the blank is folded simultaneously and symmetrically with the end illustrated, resulting in a folded corner symmetrical with that shown in Fig. 15. Two such blanks will not interlock for final assembling, but can very easily be made to interlock due to the character of the corner infolds. This result may be manually secured by lifting the margin23 so as to lay it down over the margin 24, as indicated in Fig. 16. This simple change requires no skill and may be done by the stitcher in the process of assembling and interlocking the blanks.

As in prior folding machine of the type referred to the present invention preferably comprises a blank-supporting bed or pad 30 arranged at the middle part of a horizontal table 31, above which is mounted the templet which is arranged to descend upon the blanks and rise therefrom, together with a set of infolders surrounding the bed and adapted to fold inwardly the margins of the blank over the templet, all as will be more fully described. The blank support or bed 30 may be heated as usual and is shown as scored or roughened to minimize slippage of the fabric. The bed and the in folders may cooperate in the usual manner by relative approach and separation in order to give squeezing pressure upon the infolded blanks so as to fix and render permanent the folds. The bed and table are supported at the upper part of a fixed frame 32, and the frame also has an upward extension 33 at the rear for the purpose of carrying a countershaft, as will be described. The various elements may be operated from a main shaft 35 extended transveriely through the lower front part of the frame, the shaft to be driven preferably through a worm and wheel or other reducing gear from a fast rotating belt-driven power shaft. Various general parts of the machine may be as heretofore well known, thus needing no full description herein. Certain of the connections and cams will be described for the operationsof lifting and lowering the templet and expanding and contracting its plates, and for moving inwardly and outwardly the infolding devices.

The templet 37 is of a special structure,

comprising defining parts or plates 38 having sharp corners corresponding with the sharp corners to be infolded. Fig. 5 shows the tem let in bottom View, the particular contour eing that adapted to the production of a collar top having a pointed corner ateach end. The defining plates 38 are preferably adapted to approach each other in the operation of extracting the templet from the folds. For this purpose they are separately mounted, and the space between them is shown as bridged by a middle templet plate 39 having endwise elongations which engage in shallow depressions 40 formed in the end plates. The three plates are all shown carried beneath a slide or carriage 41 which is capable of moving bodily forward and rearward within a frame or crosshead 42, said frame being supported by arms 43 extending rearwardly and formed with hubs 44, keyed to a countershaft or axle 45, journalled in the rear bracket or extension 33, whereby the frame, the carriage, and the templet are swingingly guided in their downward and upward movements. The middle templet plate 39 is shown rigidly connected to the carriage 41 through an inverted T- shape bracket 46. The templet end plates 38 however are arranged to move toward and from each other by suitable mechanism such as the following. Mounted to slide endwise on the carriage are slide blocks 4'7, and adjustably secured to each of said blocks is a templet plate carrier 48, beneath which is rigidly mounted one of the defining plates 38. In order to control or effect the endwise movements of the plates 38 for the purpose of shortening or contracting the templet the blocks 47 or carriers 48 are shown provided with upstanding pins 50, extending into cam slots 51, formed in cam plates 52, supported in the frame 42. When the carriage 41 moves forwardly from the position seen in Fig. 3 manifestly the pins 50 and the plates 38 will be drawn toward each other. As will be explained the cam plates 52 may be independently moved forwardly and rearwardly additionally to control the contracting and expanding movements.

The carriage 41 is shown supported and guided in the frame 42 through upstanding lugs 55 on the carriage within which are secured guide rods 56 sliding through the front and rear portions of the frame 42. The rear extremities of the rods 56 are connected by a cross bar 57 to which is secured a yoke 58 surrounding the shaft 45 for guidance and having a follower 59 entering a cam groove 60 in a cam disk 61 concentrically surrounding the rear shaft 45. lFig. 1 shows the cam in outline, with such contour or timing as to conform with the preferred operation as will be described. When the cam thrusts the yoke forwardy or rearwardly this manifestly operates through the cross bar 47 and rods 56 to throw the carriage forwardly and rearwardly. When the carriage moves forwardly it is adapted to carry with it the several templet plates and at the same time to cause the endplates 38 to approach, through the action of the cams 51, thus giving a diagonal templet plate 'movement suitable for extraction from the folds formed over the long rear side edge and the end edges of the templet as is customary in the folding of collar top blanks.

Tn carrying out the present invention it is desirable to give forward and rearward movements to the slotted plates 52, slidingly mounted in the frame 42. For this purpose each of the plates is shown as having connected at its rear end a yoke 63, the same straddling the shaft 45 for guidance and provided with a follower 64 engaging a cam groove 65. The two cam grooves 65 are preferably identical and are formed respectively in disks 66 and 67 turning with the cam disk 61, already mentioned.

The three cam disks 61, 66 and 67 are preferably actuated through a sleeve 70 to which all of them are fixed, the sleeve loosely surrounding the shaft 45, and being provided also with a gear 71. As seen in Fig. 1 the gear 71 is engaged by an intermediate gear 72 which in turn meshes with a gear 73 mounted on the main shaft 35, so that the steady turning of the main shaft causes the progressive action of the cams which control the bodily shifting movements of the templet and the movements of the defining plates thereof.

The upward and downward movements of the templet may be eifected in any convenient manner, for example by means of a rearwardly extending lever 75 keyed to the counter axle 45, as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A. link 76 is shown extending downwardly from the rear lever 75 and this link may be adjustable in length as seen in Fig. 1. At its lower end the link 76 is connected with a cam lever 7 7, fulcrumed at 78 and having an upward arm 79, carrying a follower 80, engaging an outside cam 81, mounted on the main shaft 35. The weight of the templet and connected parts holds the follower to the cam, while the contour of the cam effects thrusting movements at certain times for lifting the templet, allowing it to de scend at other times.

According to this invention the blank at the sharp corner is first preliminarily defined along a diagonal line cutting across both margins, while the corner material is turned in on such diagonal, followed by the extraction of the defining means and the formation of the two adjacent marginal in folds. The preliminary or temporary defining means is preferably mounted upon or with the templet itself and in the illustrated embodiment this is shown as taking the form.

Illa) of two small plates or defining fingers 85 and 86, one at each side of the sharp corner and the two arranged with their outer edges substantially in alinement, as clearly seen in Fig. 6 and others. A particular feature of detail is the adjustment of the defining fingers 85 and '86 in alinement with each other, but slightly out of adjustment with the apex or sharp corner of the templet late 38. The defining fingers are set bac so that the point of the plate 38 projects slightly beyond them, as-seen in Fig. 6. The eventual result of this arrangement is that a much more perfect infolded corner can be produced, as the material at the extreme apex is not required to be multiplied into six thicknesses, the material on the contrary presenting a slight opening at the apex between the edge infolds, as clearly indicated in Figs. 15 and 16. This arrangement moreover renders the side and end infolds independent of each other so that the arrangement of Fig. 15 can be reversed, as seen in Fig. 16, for the purpose of forming a lock corner blank, the overlapping folds being interlocked during assemblage. The plan of the present invention is that the corner material 1s defined by the devices 85, 86 in the first stage of operation, the material being turned in cornerwi'se over the device, the defining parts being ;then removed from this preliminary fold and the templet plate 38 being then laid down on top of the preliminary fold where it remains during the formation of the two adjacent infolds. Fig. 6

shows the condition of the parts on the first descent of the templet. The corner material or fabric 25 is shown as turned up by the presence of the infolding means, yet to be described. Fig. 7 shows the corner material as folded inand down, defined by the fingers 85 and 86. This corresponds with Fig. 13.

'Fig. 8 shows the defining means extracted from the preliminary fold. It is important that the fabric is held in place, and the fold maintained against opening during the quick withdrawal and replacement of the defining means. Fig. 9 shows the templet replaced upon the blank and corner fold, and the infolding means withdrawn. Fig. 10 shows the rear side edge of the fabric folded in over the templet, corresponding with Fig. 14, and Fig. 11 shows the end margin folded in, corresponding to Fig. 15. This explains the defining operations, the infolders and their operations to be described later.

The preliminary defining device may take different forms, but preferably presents the diagonal edge described, and preferably is attached to the main templet, and preferably consists of a pair of relatively movable leaves or fingers, such as 85 and 86. The defining finger 85 is shown as consisting of a light piece of metal having a springy shank 87 of arched form to give yielding qualities and clearance, and the butt of the shank is secured on top of a holder or block 88, which is fastened to the templet plate carrier 48, by a set screw 89 permitting adjustment.

The block 88 is mounted toslide endwise at held to the carrier/f8 by-a set screw 93. The block slides in a groove 94 in the carrier and is held in proper adjustment by the screw.

Owing to the resilience and arched form of the defining fingers they are relatively movable in a manner to permit them to be lifted out of the plane of the templet plates at certain times. By being attached-to the templet, adjacently to the defining plates of the templet the defining fingers are thus enabled to be withdrawn fro-m the preliminary folds formed over them by means of the same connections employed for the bodily contraction of the templet to extract it from the final folds. Thus Fig. 7 shows the preliminary diagonal fold formed over the defining fingers, while Fig. 8 shows these fingers retracted from defining position by reason of the contraction of the templet. This therefore avoids the complication which would result from ind ependentdefining fingers, requiring eithermanual operation, or a separate actuating mechanism.

The infolding means may be of various types but preferably consists of a system of infolder plates moved bodily inward in a manner to'carry the blank margins over the defining edges of the defining fingers and of the templet. The exact order in which the infolds are formed is notimportant, excepting that in the preferred embodiment of this invention the sharp corner margin is turned inward diagonally over the corner of the templet in advance of the turning in of the adjacent lineal margins. The illustrated mechanism indicates the turning in first of the corner margin 25, 'as seen in Figs. 6, 7 and-13, followed by the turning in of the long rear side margin 23, as illustrated by Figs. 9, 10 and 14 and finally the turning in of the end margin 24, as indicated by Figs. 11 and 15. The rear side infolder is shown in its outward position in Figs. 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and in its inward position in Figs. 10 andll. There will be a similar rear infolder at the opposite end, and beside margin adjacent to the sharp corner. A slot is shown at 104 extending from the apex between 102 and 103 rea-rwardly to receive the folded material as the rear folder comes forward. In order to bridge the gap between the infolders 100 and 103 a small infolder 105 is indicated, extending from folder 103 into a depression in the underside of folder 100, serving to maintain continuity of folding edge. For the purpose of gaging or positioning the cloth blank when inserted in the machine there is shown a gage 107 attached to the rear infolder 100 and a similar gage 108 attached to or above the end infolder 102. In addition to the described infolders, is the special or preliminary infolder 110 fitted to move inwardly diagonally toward the sharp corner of the blank, this infolder having a deep movements.

notch 111 corresponding substantially with the pointed shape of the templet and dividing the infolding edge into two portions corresponding with the two defining fingers 85 and 86.

Having described the layout of the infolders surrounding the bed or raised pad 30, the fittings and actuating connect-ions thereof will now be referred to.

The rear infoldrs 100 and 101 may be mounted and actuated as follows. They are shown attached to a rear transverse bar 115 in an adjustable manner through,slots 116 and bolts 117. The actuator bar 115 is provided with rear lugs 118, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and below this lug is a connection 119 to an upward arm 120 of a lever fulcrumed at 121, the other arm 122 of which extends forwardly and carries a follower 123, engaging a cam on the main or cam shaft 35. By this arrangement the cam effects forward and rearward movements of the infolders. Slight lifting and lowering movements of the infolders are desirable, especially in connection with a raised pad 30, permitting the infolders normally to lie flush, and to be raised preliminarily to their inward movements; also to effect a slight release of pressure to permit infolder movements after partial. folding. The actuator bar 115 is shown as having a block 126 swivelled to it at each end and through each block passes a. threaded rod 127 extending downwardly to a. cam lever 128, operated by a cam for effecting the lifting and lowering This part of the invention not being in itself new need not be further described.

The end and diagonal infolders may be mounted and actuated as follows. They may be slidingly fitted in a sort of frame bodily carried or moved by the rear infolders or the actuator bar 115. Thus the rear infolder 100 is shown as having an endwise extension 131, and opposite this, at the front, is a longitudinal strip 132 The outer or left ends of these are connected by a cross plate 133, and the inner or right hand ends are bridged by a connecting plate 134. It will be seen that the end infolder 102 slides endwise, guided by the strips 131 and 132 and held down by the bridge pieces 133 and 134, while the diagonal infolder 110 15. held down and guided by the bridge piece 134.

The end infolder 102 is shown as having attached at its underside a spring pressed edge piece 136 mounted on, a shank 137, pulled forwardly by a spring 138. This is to preserve contact between the end infolder and the edge of the raised pad 30, while the lnfolder system is moving forwardly. For actuating the end infolder it is shown as provided with a transverse slot 140 engaged by a follower or pin 1 11 standing downwardly from a connecting link or push rod 142 having an adjustable connection 143 with a swivelled .block or head 144: formed at the top end of a cam lever 1 15. This lever is fulcrumed about a transverse axle 1 16 permitting it to be swung longitudinally so as to give the inward and outward movements to the infolder plate 102. The lower extension 147 of the cam lever is provided with a follower 1418 entering the groove 1619 of a cam disk 150, mounted on the main shaft 35.

The diagonally operating corner infolder 110 may be fitted and actuated in various ways, but is preferably av simple plate of arc form attached to a carrier 152, pivoted at 153 to the side strip 132, the infolder llt) moving in the flat space between the bridge 134C and the end infolder 102. In order that the diagonal infolder may be actuated independently of the end infolder it may be provided with the following connections. The carrier 152 is formed with a transverse slot 154, engaged by a follower or pin 155, mounted at the inner end of a push rod 156, having an adjustable connection 157. with a swivelled block 158, located at the top of a cam lever 159. fulerunied at 160 and having a lower arm 161, provided with a follower 162, entering a cam groove 103 of a cam disk 16 1 on the shaft 135.

The preferred operation of the invention may be described as follows, omitting details not necessarily pertinent to the present invention. With the machine in initial condition, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the operator will insert a blank and position it by the gages 107 and 108. and then depress the starting pedal which will put the main shaft into rotation for one cycle of operations, if desired, or for continuous operations where a number of blanks are to be infolded. The templet 37 descends upon the blank resting upon the raised pad 30, the templet and pad having the same contour. The blank is thus firmly pressed and held down upon stands above the level of the pad.

the pad. The infolders are flush with the exception of the diagonal infolder 110 w lliilch iis causes the sharp corner 25 of the cloth blank to be bent upwardly as seen in Fig. 6, the yielding fingers and 86 defining the edge or fold, and the pointed corner of the templet plate 38 standing slightly beyond the fold line, as is illustrated in Fig. 6. The diagonal infolder thereupon moves inwardly and folds in and down the blank corner 25, thus completing the temporary infolding. the result being seen in Fig. 7. The purpose of the notch 111 in the infolder 110 will now be observed; it permits the templet to be extracted and again laid upon the blank in the identical position as at first. Pursuant to this plan the templet is now contracted so as to withdraw the plate 38 and the fingers 85 and 86 from the corner infold 25. The te1nplet is slightly lifted. again expanded and again brought down. this time on top of the infold already formed. The infold'er 110 in the meanwhile preserves the fold and holds the blank. As soon as the templet is again positioned upon the blank the corner infolder is retracted. The parts are now left in the condition seen in Fig. 9 from which, however, the cloth blank is omitted, for convenience, although the position of the infolded corner 25 is indicated. The rear infolders 100 and 101 are now lifted sufficiently to clear the raised pad 30 and moved-forwardly or inwardly to produce the long rear side edge infold. In fact in this movement the entire infolder system is carried forwardly due to the interconnection of the infolders as described. The lifting of the rear infolders turns up the blank edge along the rear side and the inward movement lays it over and down upon the templet, as seen in Fig. 10. in which figure however the cloth blank is omitted, for clearer showing of the mechanisms. excepting at the inner or right hand portion of the figure where the cloth is shown partly beneath the templet plate 38 and partly folded in above it. The yielding character of the defining fingers 8'5 and 86 will now be understood. When the infolders rise preparatory to moving inward, the fingers yield upwardly, allowing the infolders to pas beneath them. the fingers thus being operative during the preliminary infolding. but inoperative during the balance of the infolding. The purpose of the slot 104 at the apex will also be seen. As the infolders move forwardly the looped fabric enters this slot, thus permitting the rear side fold to be formed without hunching at the corner. The purpose of the yieldin edge piece 136 of the end infolder 102 will also be seen. Owing to the slant of the end of the blank the forward movement of the infolders carrie the end infolder 102 slightly away from the pad 30, as seen in Fig. 10,

but the spring pressed edge '136 moves forwardly to the pad, thus closing the gap. The infolding is now complete with the exception of the end margin 24. This is in turned up condition due to the elevation of the end infolder above the level of the-pad.

The end infolder is now moved longitudi-' nally inward by its cam. The rear Side 111- folders do not partake of this movement. The end infolder folds the material in and down upon the templet as the parts come to their complete inward position, as seen in Fig. 11. The actual folding is now completed. The infolders mavbe forcibly depressed one or more times during the folding operations and at the end a final pressing may be effected, the templet preferably being first contracted to remove it from the folds, which may thus be sharply creased. Upon reversing the infolder movements the are carried outwardly and descend to their original position, leaving the completed blank, in the form seen in Fig. 15, ready to be extracted.

It will thus be seen that I have described a folding machine and a method of folding and a folded product embodying the principles and attaining the advantages of-the present invention; but since many matters of operation, combination, arrangement, design and detail may be modified Without departing from the principles it is not intended to limit the invention to such matters except in so far as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for infolding collar blanks or the like having sharp corners, a support for a blank to be infolded, a templet fitted to be positioned upon the blank and adapted to define the two edges meeting at a sharp corner, a preliminary defining means adapted to define a diagonal fold line across the apex of the sharp angle, infolders and operating means for actuating the infolders first to infold the corner margin diagonally over said defining means, and subsequently after the removal of said defining means from the diagonal fold and the placing of the templet on top thereof, to fold the meeting edges over said templet.

2. In a machine for infolding collar blanks or the like having sharp corners, a support for a blank to be infolded, a templet fitted to be positioned upon the blank, extracted therefrom and repositioned thereon, and shaped to define the two edges meeting at a sharp corner, infolders, and operating means for actuating the infolders to form preliminarily a diagonal fold across the apex of the sharp angle, and subsequently, after the repositioning of the templet on top thereof, to fold the meeting edges over said temp et.

3. In a machine for infolding collar blanks or the like having sharp corners, a support for a blank to be infolded, a diagonal definer' adapted preliminarily to define a line crossing the blank margins at the apex, a diagonal infolder adapted to infold the corner material over said definer, a templet adapted to be positioned upon the blank and corner infold and to define the edges meeting at the apex and infolding means for folding such edges over the templet.

4. An infolding machine as in claim 3 and wherein means are provided for automatically positioning the definer, then operating the diagonal infolder, then extracting the definer, then positioning the templet, then Withdrawing the diagonal infolder, and then operating the infolding means to fold the positioning the templet, then withdrawing the diagonal infolder, and then operating the infolding means to fold the meeting ed es.

An infolding machine as in claim 3 and wherein the infolding means normally stand depressed and are operated to rise before operation and thereby displace the diagonal definer, and timed means for automatically positioning the definer, then operating the diagonal infolder, then extracting the definer, then positioning the templet, then withdrawing the diagonal infolder, and then operating the infolding means to fold the meeting edges. v

7. In a machine for infolding collar blanks or the like having sharp corners, a support for a blank to be infolded, a templet fitted to be positioned upon the blank and adapted to define the two edges meeting at a sharp corner, a preliminary defining means adapted to define a diagonal fold line across the apex of the sharp angle, consisting of yielding definers mounted on the templet infolding means adapted first to infold the corner margin diagonally over said definers, means for removing the templet and definers and replacing the Same on top of the preliminary folds, and infolding means for folding the meeting edges over said templet.

8. An infolding machine as in claim 7 and wherein said definers are located to define a diagonal line slightly within the apex of the templet.

9. An infolding machine as in claim 3 and wherein the diagonal infolder is a swinging infolder pivoted above the main infolding means.

10. An infolding machine as in claim 3 and wherein the diagonal infolder is a swinging infolder pivoted above the main infolding means and notched to admit the templet apex.

In testimony signature hereto.

' WALTER L. DIXON.

whereof, I have aflixed my 

